Firefighters warn farmers of risk of hay bales 'spontaneously combusting' in warm weather

Barn fire — Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service warned about the possibility of hay bales spontaneously combusting if stored in warm temperatures while damp. (SWNS) (Devon & Somerset FRS / SWNS)

Firefighters have warned farmers over the possibility of hay bales spontaneously combusting thanks to the combination of warm and wet weather.

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service issued the warning after a rise in barn fires in the south west of England.

They included one in Cewkerne, Somerset, which saw 50 tonnes of hay and 50 tonnes of straw set alight in a single-storey barn on 7 July.

A spate of barn fires in the south west of England include one in Crewkerne, Somerset on 7 July. (SWNS) — A spate of barn fires in the south west of England include one in Crewkerne, Somerset on 7 July. (SWNS) (Devon & Somerset FRS / SWNS)

The spate of fires has prompted the service to warn farmers about storing wet hay, which can spontaneously combust when temperatures get high enough.

A spokesman said: "We're asking farmers to be aware of the fire risk when making and storing hay - particularly at the moment due to recent damp weather.

Read more: Man inflicted ‘catastrophic' injuries by shaking baby before trying to blame mother

"When hay is stored with a high moisture content, the temperature can build.

"If it rises above 55c, a chemical reaction begins to produce a flammable gas that can ignite if the temperature gets high enough."

A fire service has warned farmers of hay ‘spontaneously combusting’ - following a rise in barn fires due to warm but wet weather. See SWNS story SWBRfire. Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service published the statement which warned farmers about storing wet hay – which can spontaneously combust when temperatures get high enough. This follows a recent rise in barn fires in the south west of England – including one in Crewkerne, Somerset, which saw 50 tonnes of hay and 50 tonnes of straw set alight on July 7. The shocking pictures show the fire which took hold in a single-storey barn – and drew crews from Taunton, Bridgwater, Street, Yeovil, Chard, Crewkerne and Martock to tackle the accidental blaze. — Firefighters urged farmers to be careful about how they store hay in warm weather. (SWNS) (Devon & Somerset FRS / SWNS)

Yahoo News

The service urged farmers to remove hay and straw from fields as soon as possible after harvesting, and to ensure it is properly dry before it is stored.

It also encouraged farmers to monitor the temperature of haystacks and be wary of any "caramel or musty smell" which can indicate that the hay is heating.

Watch: What UK government COVID-19 support is available?

Advertisement